The Reivers (1969)

MARVELLOUS!

A typical Southern Americana, with great actings, a very well crafted script, an impressive John Williams' score and a breathfaking photography. Everything goes perfect in this delightful piece of American way of living, recreating a time in which 11 year old kids were still innocent. Steve McQueen, Mitch Vogel (the kid) and the grandfather are unforgetable.
With an unconventional story line, the movie is a collection of different episodes about two young fellows and a kid who have the time of their lives in an old-style yellow automovile. Each episode is magnificently carried on, with several funny and very touching moments. Most remarkable of all is the careful insight in the personality of all the characters, making the story very intense and convincing. Don't miss it: it's a wonderful movie, one of those we don't see anymore. July 15, 2008

Reivers Movie Review

I have looked for this movie for years. It was filmed in my hometown in Mississippi. I was in the 9th grade when they came to town to film this.
It was better than a carnival or fair. People talked about how things were back then.

The movie was in excellent condition. Played flawlessly and was very enjoyable.
May 9, 2008

GLADE TO SEE THIS RELEASED ON DVD

AN EXCELLENT MOVIE. FUN TO WATCH STEVE MCQUEEN IN A COMEDY ROLE. MAKES ONE LONG FOR THE LIFESTYLE OF THE EARLY 1900'S. March 21, 2008

A lesser known but more than worthy McQueen movie

Based on a William Faulkner novel, The Reivers is a big departure from the typical Steve McQueen movie and maybe that's why it's not hugely well-known, but don't let that scare you away from a good old-fashioned movie. In 1905 in Jefferson, Missouri, 11-year old Lucius McCaslin is starting to grow up and see the world differently. When a distant relative of the family dies, Lucius' parents travel to go to the funeral leaving their son behind. Joining up with his friend Boon, a family friend who works as the family handyman, and Ned, a black man who has blood relations to the family, Lucius and Co. "borrow" his dad's new car and take it up the road to visit Memphis. Along the way, young Lucius begins to see things even more differently as he's exposed to new things, thanks in great part to the sticky situations Boon and Ned get him into. The plot drifts along through the movie, taking its time and introducing characters along the way. It's a good movie, pure and simple, and there's a good message at the end of it. Not your typical McQueen movie by a long shot, but that doesn't mean it's not a very good movie.

In a part different from just about any other role he played, Steve McQueen plays Boon Hogganbeck, a family handyman who just enjoys living and doing what he likes to do. McQueen didn't do many comedic roles, and this isn't straight comedy, but he's good here in a physical role that brings more than a few shares of laughs. Mitch Vogel plays Lucius, the 11-year old friend of Boon's who truly begins to grow up on the little road trip and finding out who he really is. It's a very good part for Vogel who disappointingly didn't go on to bigger and better roles. Rupert Crosse is very good as well as Ned, a black man working for the McCaslin family who can trace his family bloodlines back to Lucius' grandfather. Boon and Ned grew up together which gives McQueen and Crosse plenty of humorous moments throughout. Sharon Farrell stars as Miss Corie, Boon's longtime love working at a local whorehouse. Lucius takes an instant liking to her, almost like a big sister, and starts getting her thinking about changing her life around. The excellent supporting cast includes lots of small cameos including Will Geer, Ruth White, Michael Constantine, Dub Taylor, Clifton James, and Juano Hernandez. The four main leads all give good performances, but the supporting cast helps make the movie even stronger overall, including Burgess Meredith as Lucius as an adult, narrating the story and looking back on the adventure.

The DVD is pretty slim in the special features department, as in none, so don't expect even a trailer or still gallery. Fortunately, the widescreen transfer is a good one which is how this movie deserves to be seen. So don't be scared that this isn't a well-known Steve McQueen movie if you're curious as to watch it or not. Don't expect the loner role that McQueen perfected, it is definitely a change of pace for the actor, but that's what makes it worthwhile. Give The Reivers a try! February 10, 2008

FEEL-GOOD CLASSIC

I had not seen this film since 1969 and I remember being blown away by two things. First, Steve McQueen went against his screen image at the time and was superb in the part. He displayed a breezy charm of which I hadn't before thought he was capable. Second, the film was presented in a classic "feel-good" tradition which went against the increasing cynicism of that Counter-Culture/Viet Nam war era. The visual look of "The Reivers" wonderfully captures our idea of the period in which it takes place. It has a Huckleberry Finn shading to it, although it takes place half a century after that book's era. I have sent for the dvd, and a recent TCM viewing revealed that it is still the wonderful film I remember. February 8, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...